tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331366862016-02-17T19:15:36.945-05:00PennHensLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.comBlogger366125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-52939288917984011562011-05-21T11:29:00.003-04:002011-05-21T11:36:26.775-04:00Music TastePiper and I were watching a taped American Idol yesterday afternoon. There was a special performance by Il Volo - 3 tenors from Italy. They blend opera into a modern sound. Piper was a bit confused when they first started singing ( I guess it's not the typical sound she hears on American Idol). She looked at me and said, "Mom, I don't like his voice but I like his face." I guess even at 4 she's figured out what she finds handsome.<div><br /></div><div>As each of the other guys began singing she had the same response - "He's a bad singer Mom". I tried to explain that the American Idol contestants could only dream of singing so well, of having a tone so pure and the perfect amount of strength and control. BUT - I believe all of that went over her head and we are left with this result - Piper does NOT like Opera!</div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-90215559434268816092010-09-01T17:34:00.002-04:002010-09-01T17:39:32.481-04:00New House<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/TH7HTvOKl4I/AAAAAAAAEAc/MbT8NP1Yyjo/s1600/IMG_2480.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/TH7HTvOKl4I/AAAAAAAAEAc/MbT8NP1Yyjo/s400/IMG_2480.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512062135855388546" /></a>Here it is. We are finally in, not unpacked, but in. It was a very very time consuming stressful process and I'm so glad it's over. We are extremely happy with the final outcome and feel very lucky to have a home such as this. One of the main reasons we wanted to move was to create a home/lot that allowed us to host many gatherings/events for family, friends and church members. We hope that you will come and enjoy this new house with us.Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-82140618305836989572010-04-06T14:44:00.005-04:002010-04-06T15:04:03.756-04:00For Sale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S7uBbuRgwPI/AAAAAAAAEAU/6AsHG5fQSzo/s1600/l01439c42-m0m.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 233px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S7uBbuRgwPI/AAAAAAAAEAU/6AsHG5fQSzo/s400/l01439c42-m0m.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457097686767419634" /></a>So our house went on the market Friday afternoon - April 2, 2010. We have really really loved this house but would like to have a bit more land and another garage. The land will give us opportunities that we don't have here. We love our level backyard that is perfect for football, baseball, soccer, sprinkler running. But if we wanted to add a swingset, or a big garden we would ruin the perfect sport backyard and there is no way we could have a pool because it would be impossible for the trucks to get to our back yard without destroying the neighbors yards. We would like another garage because we actually use our garage for cars and thus the bikes are outside rusting all winter. Also with parents that stay for long periods of time and soon to be teenage drivers another garage will come in handy, not to mention if a little bass boat would ever be in our future. We felt that with the market the way it is, now would be the best time to upgrade to a larger lot. And so it is with sadness in our hearts that we say goodbye to this fabulous home and hope that the next owners will love it as much as we have.<div><br /></div><div>We had a showing yesterday, Monday April 5th - which was scheduled the exact time that piano lessons are normally taught in our home so I was grateful and relieved that my good friend Shannon who lives just 2 neighborhoods away let us use her living room for piano lessons. Plus I am sure the boys LOVED playing on a grand piano.</div><div><br /></div><div>Got a call this morning, Tuesday April 6th. Another showing tonight at 6pm - ok I think - great - people are interested. Then the secretary says it is the same people who came last night and there is significant interest in the property. Now my stomach falls out and I feel sick. I mean, I shouldn't feel sick - this is what we wanted but oh gosh, it is happening so fast. If they make an offer, where will we live until August? Oh the stress!! But I am not counting my chickens before they hatch - perhaps they will not make an offer, or maybe it will be a bad offer. I guess we'll have to wait and see - and keep taking the Tums to offset the acid in my stomach.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are interested in seeing the listing for our house or taking the virtual tour ( now called featured tour) click on the following link.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/609-Rosewood-Circle_Lititz_PA_17543_1117537025">http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/609-Rosewood-Circle_Lititz_PA_17543_1117537025</a><br /><div><div><br /></div></div></div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-57309554561598114372010-03-19T20:47:00.006-04:002010-03-19T21:05:29.711-04:00Camilla's Cozy Quilt<div><div>Camilla is Brinn's youngest. She was born in December 2008. She received her quilt I made her in February 2010. These things take time - especially when you have 4 small children, you're primary president, your buying and selling a house etc... I wish there was more time to sew.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyhow. It is finally done and it is one of my favorites. Maybe that's why she didn't get it for so long. I needed several months to sit and stare at it - in all its beauty.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can not take credit for the color selections because I did cheat a little and used 2 charm packs from Moda. They are a pack of 5x5 squares containing one square of each of the 40 fabrics in a specific collection. This collection screamed "BRINN" at me as I walked by so I had to go for it. I had actually already bought fabric for Camilla's quilt and it was going to be a completely different pattern but then I saw this and had to do it. I did however choose the white on white polka dot spacer fabric.</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6Qcyn1q5qI/AAAAAAAAEAM/_YNJkW9NYbM/s1600-h/IMG_1981.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6Qcyn1q5qI/AAAAAAAAEAM/_YNJkW9NYbM/s400/IMG_1981.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450513105038272162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6QcyHUB2FI/AAAAAAAAEAE/3cS-5CPxxXs/s1600-h/IMG_1982.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6QcyHUB2FI/AAAAAAAAEAE/3cS-5CPxxXs/s400/IMG_1982.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450513096307234898" /></a><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6QcA_8Ka4I/AAAAAAAAD_s/ToM3spj1DiY/s400/IMG_1985.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450512252514495362" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6Qcx4kqOzI/AAAAAAAAD_8/qmZvXkh6dus/s1600-h/IMG_1983.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6Qcx4kqOzI/AAAAAAAAD_8/qmZvXkh6dus/s400/IMG_1983.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450513092350458674" /></a>The back is "minky" and it's ultra soft. Lisa, the same long armer from New York that has done all my quilts, did this one as well. I chose a "butterfly loop" pattern.<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6QbVtF0hOI/AAAAAAAAD_M/LPLFoNBiDCA/s400/IMG_1988.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450511508720354530" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6QcBPVIZcI/AAAAAAAAD_0/SJqpS7K-bBA/s1600-h/IMG_1984.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6QcBPVIZcI/AAAAAAAAD_0/SJqpS7K-bBA/s400/IMG_1984.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450512256645752258" /></a><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6QcAdnzZwI/AAAAAAAAD_k/fcP3hgKnYlE/s400/IMG_1989.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450512243302295298" /><div style="text-align: center;">Binding - I must say I rocked the corners this time - best ever!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6Qb_5O-GkI/AAAAAAAAD_c/5dNBiiHD_co/s400/IMG_1992.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450512233534462530" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6Qb_U2ZhKI/AAAAAAAAD_U/9VhSjBDmNSY/s400/IMG_1993.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450512223767725218" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-45953281090330403722010-03-17T10:31:00.004-04:002010-03-18T08:20:17.133-04:00The BIg Snow<div>February 10th, 2010<br /><div><br /></div><div>Instead of picking up my parents in the perfectly planned surprise for my kids - Instead of surprising my parents with the perfectly timed pick up of my sister - Planes were canceled, school was canceled, trains were canceled.<div><br /></div><div>And here's the reason why:</div></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6DpIKkjm3I/AAAAAAAAD_E/Quqq1iCJIXs/s1600-h/IMG_1976.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6DpIKkjm3I/AAAAAAAAD_E/Quqq1iCJIXs/s400/IMG_1976.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449611875604208498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6DpHfjdpGI/AAAAAAAAD-8/U6JXb2kPt1g/s1600-h/IMG_1977.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6DpHfjdpGI/AAAAAAAAD-8/U6JXb2kPt1g/s400/IMG_1977.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449611864056898658" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6DpGkIeTOI/AAAAAAAAD-0/lv3Ej3c73MA/s1600-h/IMG_1978.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6DpGkIeTOI/AAAAAAAAD-0/lv3Ej3c73MA/s400/IMG_1978.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449611848106003682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6DpGJhH34I/AAAAAAAAD-s/dOSyPh8CpVU/s1600-h/IMG_1999.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6DpGJhH34I/AAAAAAAAD-s/dOSyPh8CpVU/s400/IMG_1999.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449611840961634178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6DpFe8EWXI/AAAAAAAAD-k/SJvcBh3rHWM/s1600-h/IMG_1997.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S6DpFe8EWXI/AAAAAAAAD-k/SJvcBh3rHWM/s400/IMG_1997.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449611829531924850" /></a><br />4 days later we received ANOTHER 19 inches. 40 inches in a week. It took 3 and half weeks to melt. I think we're done - Spring is here on Saturday.<br /><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-47131042487934246312010-01-27T10:42:00.004-05:002010-01-27T10:48:06.739-05:00Rain Drops<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Piper has a friend over today. Her friend banged her head and was crying. She was sitting on my lap as I tried to comfort her. 2 tears rolled down her cheeks. Piper said, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Look Mommy - She has rain drops."</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span> I asked Olivia if she had rain drops coming out of her eyes. She started laughing and shaking her head no. I love that Piper expresses herself as she sees the world. I love that her comments made Olivia happy so she could forget her pain. I am trying to soak up these moments that I know she'll grow out of very soon.</span>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-37401292850123887712010-01-03T17:43:00.006-05:002010-01-03T18:21:10.271-05:00Always Behind - Special Birthday<div style="text-align: left;">I'm always behind these days - Christmas cards went out late, haven't blogged in ages. Not sure I'll ever catch up but thought I'd add these few things.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S0EeVBKZYsI/AAAAAAAAD94/b0NkjYxtwcM/s400/IMG_1820.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422648772768916162" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On November 23rd Piper turned 3 years old. I don't think I've ever seen someone so excited about their birthday. I soaked in every minute of her excitement. First, she received a box from her Grandma in Utah earlier in the week. She carried that box around for days. She'd show anyone who came to house, "See MY box?" she'd say. She also carried it around all day on her birthday wanting to know exactly when she could open it.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S0EepTlj0VI/AAAAAAAAD-I/BE4wJ4B5s08/s400/IMG_1819.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422649121312067922" /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">We started off the day with an emergency call from a friend who needed me to watch her 9 month old. Before I had gotten that call, I had called MacGregor's homeroom mom to see if they needed anything extra for their Thanksgiving feast they were having that day. She said yes - so a trip to the grocery was on the list.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So I took Piper and our little friend and we ran to the store picked up two big bag of grapes. Then we ran home and washed them all and cut them and put them in a big box with a lid. We then piled into the car again and ran to the school where we attended MacGregor's Thankgiving feast/skits. The little girl I was babysitting fell asleep in the car and then when I strapped her into the stroller she woke up and began screaming. She screamed for quite a while - as I signed us into the office, as I purchased the movie tickets for the evening, and as I walked down the hall to MacGregor's room. Meanwhile, Piper was standing on chairs in the office reaching into the fish tank. All of this chaos reminded me of why Piper is the baby and will remain so.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chief Soaring Arrow</div></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S0EghID9f6I/AAAAAAAAD-Q/ebdpI8TvtRY/s400/IMG_1816.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422651179802656674" /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">MacGregor's group did a very entertaining skit on Indians and their food. Hunting, fishing, gathering - you name it. Piper crashed the skit though because she saw a prop that they forgot to pick up and in the middle of the skit, ran to MacGregor and returned it. Since I was holding the baby we were watching, I didn't have as tight of a reign on Piper and she used that to her advantage.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S0EeUkCjDkI/AAAAAAAAD9w/R-qEeREw_Ac/s400/IMG_0446.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422648764951367234" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We ran home after the feast and shortly thereafter got in the car and headed out again. We dropped off our little friend and headed to a different grocery where we had a coupon for a free birthday cake. Piper was ecstatic to choose a birthday cake with balloons on it. Incidently, there were two helium balloons floating in her room when she woke up in the morning, left for her by her father. Her father enjoyed this birthday too since this was only the second out 4 he has been here for.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S0EeUXqO3HI/AAAAAAAAD9o/99hSYvi0rfc/s400/IMG_0448.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422648761628154994" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The school had a special movie night on the 23rd and Piper said she'd love to see a movie, the last movie night they had sold out before we could buy our tickets much to our children's disappointment. We were supposed to see Planet 51, a funny little alien movie, but 2 of the 3 theaters were having technical difficulties so we got sent to see A Christmas Carol instead. I was secretly happy because I didn't think Planet 51 looked that good but later I felt bad for Piper because the Christmas Carol movie was REALLY scary for little ones. I thought Jim Carrey did an awsome job and for Chase and Gregor it was fantastic but there were some very frightening scenes for little ones.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S0EepIlSpLI/AAAAAAAAD-A/cexbyCmuMJw/s400/IMG_1824.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422649118358152370" /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">So poor Piper had to wait until nearly 9 pm to eat her cake and open her presents. She loved everyone one of them and hugged each of them to her and said, "This is what I always wanted!!" It was an awesome birthday and I hope she will continue her enthusiasm for birthdays because it was a wonderful feeling.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/S0EeUBWUzsI/AAAAAAAAD9g/0L9661_9dfY/s400/IMG_0450.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422648755639078594" /></div><div><br /></div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-60002399300923160192009-12-08T09:36:00.004-05:002009-12-08T09:52:44.739-05:00First Loss<div>We thought it would never happen. Everyone has lost a tooth in Ainsley's school class. Her cousin, Kamden, who is 6 months younger has lost 8 teeth already and even has 6 grown up teeth in. A few weeks ago Ainlsey's tooth went from rock solid to decidedly loose. This caused her much anxiety. She got up the next morning and began one of her panic attacks. She paced and said she felt sick and didn't want to go to school. Her face was pale and her expression stiff. This was the first time this school year that she has one of these episodes. I was trying to figure out what was different this morning than every other day. I realized that it was the loose tooth. So I calmly talked to her about some of the fears she might have associated with the tooth and determined that she was afraid to eat fearing that it would hurt or worse, come out while she was eating. I couldn't get her to eat much that morning but I did talk to her about what very soft things we could pack for lunch. I told her that she could NOT stay home because I had an extremely full schedule that day and I really needed her at school. She went. She did fine. No more episodes.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sx5krhe8ffI/AAAAAAAAD6I/zbOs53yQDYs/s1600-h/IMG_1834.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sx5krhe8ffI/AAAAAAAAD6I/zbOs53yQDYs/s400/IMG_1834.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412874501031230962" /></a>It took a few weeks of constant wiggling. She was very diligent. She pulled it out herself after being asked repeatedly by her parents if we could help. She was NOT interested in our help, even though that is what her Dad does for a living. She did however embrace the advice we gave on what directions to push and pull and twist.<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sx5krTeE7mI/AAAAAAAAD6A/PprLCy0l1eg/s1600-h/IMG_1838.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sx5krTeE7mI/AAAAAAAAD6A/PprLCy0l1eg/s400/IMG_1838.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412874497269493346" /></a><div>We told her to put it under her pillow for the tooth fairy but she wanted to take it to school on sharing day. I said to put it on her dresser then. She was worried that the tooth fairy might come and take it off her dresser so she asked me to write a note. The note said, "Dear Tooth Fairy, Please do not take my tooth. I need it for sharing day at school on Thursday. Love, Ainsley". We laid the note on her dresser with the tooth on top. The TF did not take the tooth. Then next night Ainsley said, "I don't care about sharing it at school anymore, I'm putting it under my pillow" I guess the wait was unbearable. The TF brought her a dollar.</div></div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-38244223576040992422009-11-25T14:04:00.006-05:002009-11-25T14:31:35.048-05:00HALLOWEEN 2009<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 382px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sw2BMmTipZI/AAAAAAAAD5g/eOrMMHTejf0/s400/P1030774_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408120780982756754" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Halloween was a long last afterthought this year. I didn't even realize it was the week of Halloween until Wednesday of that week. Ainsley and Chase both wore their costumes from last year so that made things easy. The afternoon of, I tried on a monster costume we have on Piper. Much to my dismay - it was way too big. Now we only had a few hours to figure something out. Luckily we have a Barbie, Island Princess dress-up dress and then I found a blue tiarra while running errands that day. MacGregor had still not decided an hour before we left for trick or treating. I told him he could be the storm trooper from last year or a mariachi band member. We have the mexican poncho, the sombrero, and a trumpet. But NO - that was not cool enough. He wanted to be James Bond so he wore church clothes (the blazer was way too small - no one has worn that in ages) with sunglasses and carried a pistol. He looked more like a Blues Brother but he was happy so who am I to complain?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sw2ASMammVI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/G9sAqjG9Chw/s400/P1030775.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408119777600641362" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We went trick or treating with friends this year - in their neighborhood. Their neighborhood is much more conducive to trick or treating as our neighborhood only has about 20 homes - 2/3rds of which are NOT home on Halloween. We were running a little late and by the time we got there the kids formed their groups and ran off before I could get the individual and group pictures I had hoped for. Ainsley got to go with a group that was delivered to each house via golf cart - not a bad ride!! So here is what I cropped out of the mixed matched pictures I got as they were running off to trick or treat.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">MacGregor the kid at church in the summer - I mean James Bond, special agent.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sw2BM52FSXI/AAAAAAAAD5o/G5gDqv8FL14/s400/P1030774.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408120786227906930" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's the princess before she got "beat up". She absolutely LOVED wearing make up and looking beautiful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 297px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sw2BNOSGHlI/AAAAAAAAD5w/WhQR_BAwlck/s400/P1030773.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408120791714111058" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ainsley is the ever Beautiful "Cleopatra"!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sw2ATZJHRDI/AAAAAAAAD4w/7Z68rDVB0IY/s400/P1030772.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408119798196814898" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">MacGregor with his buddy Nick E. and Chase.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sw2BV3V-unI/AAAAAAAAD54/ZbYtxP_erXg/s400/P1030777.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408120940175211122" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The after-party. Do you think they got enough?</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sw2BE5nhJkI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/iLU21JaP3f4/s400/P1030782.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408120648727864898" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-24852090289599181702009-11-24T19:30:00.002-05:002009-11-24T19:35:06.115-05:00Hide and Seek in the Dark<div>Hide and Seek in the dark is NOT a great game for Piper to play on Halloween night in our friends' basement. The Ping Pong table has 4 sharp corners. The corners are all eye level.<div><br /></div><div>Ouch.</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Swx7I96FbCI/AAAAAAAAD4I/9mSmBGVFOkI/s1600/IMG_1752.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Swx7I96FbCI/AAAAAAAAD4I/9mSmBGVFOkI/s400/IMG_1752.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407832646552480802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Swx7IpsJXJI/AAAAAAAAD4A/3eODRmXUE1k/s1600/IMG_1755.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Swx7IpsJXJI/AAAAAAAAD4A/3eODRmXUE1k/s400/IMG_1755.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407832641125309586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Swx7IF7Ac-I/AAAAAAAAD34/46uJZAQ23vI/s1600/IMG_1759.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Swx7IF7Ac-I/AAAAAAAAD34/46uJZAQ23vI/s400/IMG_1759.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407832631523963874" /></a>At least it was <i>after</i> trick-or-treating so she didn't have to be the princess that was also the domestic violence victim.Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-54482190611765554702009-10-29T15:06:00.005-04:002009-10-29T15:23:30.552-04:00New Quilt<div>Gave away another quilt today. It's always so bitter sweet. This one was for little Drake. Daniel's assistant, Amber, had a little boy about 2 weeks ago. This was their first so I made a quilt for him. I used 5 by 5 inch squares and picked a theme of Black, White, and Red. I used prints all over for to create a lot of visual interest and stimulation for the baby.<div><br /></div><div>I used thin cotton for the front and binding and a thick flannel for the back. Used a light polyester bat and I quilted it myself on my machine.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are the pictures:</div></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SunoyRZWlHI/AAAAAAAAD3w/L3BlvgPRNz8/s400/IMG_1743.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398101578741093490" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Center squares. Used some black fabric with army jeeps left over from Daniel's Iraq quilt.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sunox00T40I/AAAAAAAAD3o/jtbhAxEXpPU/s1600-h/IMG_1745.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sunox00T40I/AAAAAAAAD3o/jtbhAxEXpPU/s400/IMG_1745.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398101571069535042" /></a>Close up of the white prints which include music notes, penguins, flowers and ink spots. The red print has stars on it. You can also see the machine quilting in this photo.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sunoeq7y2wI/AAAAAAAAD3g/cNS8s8n_Pq8/s1600-h/IMG_1746.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sunoeq7y2wI/AAAAAAAAD3g/cNS8s8n_Pq8/s400/IMG_1746.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398101241999055618" /></a>The black prints include safety pins, dalmatians, circles made with dots and soccer balls.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SunoeES6KxI/AAAAAAAAD3Y/zvktelGsXN8/s1600-h/IMG_1747.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SunoeES6KxI/AAAAAAAAD3Y/zvktelGsXN8/s400/IMG_1747.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398101231627021074" /></a>Here a look at all three in verticle form.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sunod0oBd4I/AAAAAAAAD3Q/OZkfNrtzZL8/s1600-h/IMG_1748.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sunod0oBd4I/AAAAAAAAD3Q/OZkfNrtzZL8/s400/IMG_1748.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398101227420612482" /></a>Back and binding. The backing flannel has animal tracks on it. I used a grey thread for quilting. Wondering now though if I should have used a black bottom thread so you didn't see the quilting on the back. It's certainly NOT perfectly straight but from a distance it doesn't look too bad. <img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SunodcLj2MI/AAAAAAAAD3I/UEn4R-LLdWY/s400/IMG_1749.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398101220858779842" /><div style="text-align: center;">Whole thing - Front and back.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SunodJGOerI/AAAAAAAAD3A/WwSz9KyP9eQ/s1600-h/IMG_1751.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SunodJGOerI/AAAAAAAAD3A/WwSz9KyP9eQ/s400/IMG_1751.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398101215736134322" /></a>After seeing it lying around my house for nearly 2 months in different stages - it is now gone, and it took a little piece of my heart with it. On a good note though - I received a quilt in the mail today. It was one I made over the summer and dropped it off at the long arm machine lady I use in New York. She just now finished it - 2 and a half months later. with a beautiful butterfly and loop pattern. Yes, one day I'll own a long arm machine and won't have to wait so long to get my quilting done but for now I'm not sure if it was sitting in my house that I could have finished it any faster. Short on time is my motto these days. So I have a new quilt to look at for a while - just need to put the binding on and then I'll be shipping that one out to Brinn.Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-72221009492656057032009-10-12T14:56:00.004-04:002009-10-12T15:08:36.431-04:00Baby Shower<div>I know I have't blogged in forever and this one isn't going to be long. I wish I had more time to do ALL the things I want to do but my family does take priority and the kids need a lot of time and attention. By the time they are in bed and we've been non-stop working on homework, practicing, extra curricular events - I'm downright pooped and don't feel like organizing photos and editing text - <div><br /></div><div>But here's a short update on one of the things that has kept me busy lately. I hosted a babyshower for a girl in our ward - Annie P. She was Chase's primary teacher. She had a little girl Meggie. I am not a great party planner and don't have a great eye for decoration but I did think the table looked pretty.</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/StN8N96vbCI/AAAAAAAAD24/MaShyMrL1k4/s1600-h/IMG_1732.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/StN8N96vbCI/AAAAAAAAD24/MaShyMrL1k4/s400/IMG_1732.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391789758293699618" /></a><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/StN8M2rUwuI/AAAAAAAAD2o/dwF2vmP_xI0/s400/IMG_1734.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391789739170120418" /><div style="text-align: left;">I served mini black bottom cupcakes, seven layer dip with tortilla chips and gazpacho dip/cheese blend served with baked pita chips. My friend made an awesome punch with lemonade, orange juice, vanilla, almond extract and 7-up. It was delicious. I also got to use one of my wooden African bowls for the first time (pita chips) and my new Wilton Armetale platter/salad bowl (tortilla chips) that we bought at the dental charity event we attended recently.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/StN8NhcJwbI/AAAAAAAAD2w/t3PPA9Xe4Bg/s400/IMG_1733.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391789750649209266" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had a great turn out - I think 17. It was perfect. We wouldn't have fit many more comfortably. It was fun to have a girl party and we should do it more often whether a new baby is involved or not.</div><div><br /></div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-61481160766297700582009-09-21T14:53:00.004-04:002009-09-21T15:21:45.681-04:00Canning<div style="text-align: center;">Yes - I turned this...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SrfPwHIhXBI/AAAAAAAAD2I/H887zOJQs2A/s400/IMG_1565.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384000305000176658" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">into THIS...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SrfPvSp1u6I/AAAAAAAAD2A/OWRp-LfKhYk/s400/IMG_1579.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384000290912844706" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I've really gotten into canning this fall. I made strawberry jam in August. It was the first time I had canned anything without my mother. She helped me do peach and strawberry jam and also applesauce over the last 2 years. I didn't think I could do it without her - I just wasn't brave enough to do all that work on the chance that I'd do it wrong.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I missed strawberry picking season in June. June was a beast with non-stop baseball, end of year school activities and our trip to Africa. So when I saw strawberries on sale for $1.44/lb in August, I bought 12 pounds. I said, YES I CAN!! I did call a friend over and she helped me. We followed the directions and I called my mom to make sure I was doing it right. The jam came out just delicious.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since then I have done Salsa - which is the only one I got pictures of so far, and peach jam, also delicious. The jam I did with another friend and I had some great helpers that helped in the cutting up of all the veggies for the salsa. Sure helps to have an extra set of hands in the kitchen and in the case of the peach jam, it sure helped to have a 5 burner stove so we could fit 2 big canner pots on the stove (not my house, I wish).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This Thursday my peach jam friend is coming over and we are going to bottle peaches - a first for both of us. And I bought more ingredients to make more salsa. The salsa goes quick because you eat at least 1/2 a pint in each sitting. I only have 6 more pints and that is certainly NOT going to last through winter. So I better make some more while I can still find big baskets of tomatoes. The first batch of salsa I made I used the tomatoes from our very own back yard. We planted 2 plants this year, another first for us, and did receive quite a bounty. However, we are nearing the end of the season on these little plants and I know I won't get enough off them for another batch of salsa.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also I used my new attachment for my kitchen-aid to slice some peaches and then I put them on the dehydrator. I got a sandwich baggie full of sliced dried peaches and I tell you - I could nibble on those all day!! I also cut some of the dried peaches and put them in my oatmeal yesterday and it was really delicious.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope to use the new attachment again when it's time to do applesauce. I have hope of canning up a few more things before the fall harvest is over!! Hooray for the Harvest!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's our very little garden plot. It was some unused area in our back yard landscaping. I planted 2 small 10 inch tall tomato plants and they turned into this giant bush bearing fruit galore.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SrfPw5XyggI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/TTFdOO21KT4/s400/IMG_1419.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384000318485987842" /><div style="text-align: left;">This bunch of tomatoes took FOREVER to turn red. But they have been sweet and juicy. We eat sliced tomatoes with dinner at least every other day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SrfPwTEfW8I/AAAAAAAAD2Q/veU8moh8NGE/s400/IMG_1420.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384000308204493762" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's Ainsley with some of the very first we picked. At first they came very slowly - one or two every few days, but by the end of August 3/4 of the plant turned red at once and that's when I made the salsa.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SrfPxT-_hHI/AAAAAAAAD2g/a0fwySdwtxI/s400/IMG_1453.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384000325629740146" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Can't wait for applesauce!!</div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-50428517413598218412009-09-08T22:09:00.002-04:002009-09-08T22:14:10.591-04:00"What is this Stuff?Our ward (congregation) uses clear plastic sacrament cups. But this past Sunday we were visiting a small branch near our cabin. They use the pleated paper cups. As I held the sacrament tray and took my water, Piper who was right next to me and who would receive hers momentarily, said (in a NOT very small voice) - and I quote<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">"What is this stuff?? Ketchup??"</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The older ladies sitting behind us started cracking up. I guess she's been to Wendys and Micky Ds just a little too often lately. :)<br /><div><br /></div></div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-58566504236712856352009-09-03T20:36:00.014-04:002009-09-04T09:33:32.755-04:00Beach<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqByDSZ9DgI/AAAAAAAAD1Q/PzQ6RnIt5Og/s400/IMG_1497.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377423355886243330" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Brielle came for a whirlwind visit. We only had 5 full days to pack in a lot of activities and a lot of visits. One of our favorite, but also most exhausting, activity/visits was with our aunt Nantha and her friend Gloria at the beach. Gloria's sister has a house in Wildwood, NJ and we got to stay there for an overnight. Our food and fun was all provided by Nantha and Gloria and we all felt extra special.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 356px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBz-VqNfuI/AAAAAAAAD1w/3PVpJ68y1eQ/s400/IMG_1495.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377425469883645666" /><div style="text-align: left;">Brielle arrived around 2:45 am on Wednesday morning. My grandfather heard I had to pick Brielle up at nearly 1 am and decided that he did NOT want me doing that in the middle of the night by myself, since Dan would not be coming because he had to work the next day and we didn't have room in the car for our whole family and hers. So my grandfather made and paid for Brielle to be brought to my house in an airport limo. I pictured a van, nope she and the kids were picked up at the Baltimore Airport and driven to my house in a stretch limo. (I'm so mad I didn't think to grab my camera and snap a picture with her sitting in it or standing next to it) I set my alarm for 2:30 am but woke up on my own at 2:20. I called her and we talked until she arrived. We got the kids settled and went back to bed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBz9eBlk8I/AAAAAAAAD1g/Cqg2vT6uovw/s400/IMG_1498_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377425454949307330" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The morning came early and Brian and Stacy and the kids came to visit about 10:30 AM. We spent the day with them and then packed up for the beach. (On a side note it was Daniel and my 14th wedding anniversary that day but it kind of got left in the wind - we will try to get out to dinner one night soon to celebrate. We did get each other cards and he got me flowers and I gave him chocolate. That was good enough with everything else that was happening) We left for the beach by 8:40 am on Thursday, Aug 20th. Dan had to stay and work so it was just Brielle and me and 7 children. What could be more fun than that, right?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBxgOAcPoI/AAAAAAAAD1A/c96BhCzE4zk/s400/IMG_1500.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377422753410072194" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBxf5Bp1YI/AAAAAAAAD04/ScAn5d0KcGE/s400/IMG_1502.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377422747778012546" /><div style="text-align: left;">It took nearly 4 hours to get there and we had to drive 2 cars which was a bummer but we made it. Aunt Nantha had called earlier and gotten everyone's order for sandwiches so they were ready when we arrived. We quickly changed everyone, ate lunches, put on sunscreen and headed out to the beach. We got there about 2:30 pm and spent almost 4 hours soaking up sun and salt and sand. Brielle had to leave earlier with her 2 youngest because they needed naps so badly. We had big plans for the boardwalk later that night so we wanted to make sure everyone was happy. Piper, amazingly was doing quite well so I didn't take her back for a nap. I figured since she doesn't eat much that she would probably nap while we all ate dinner.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBxIHXC9AI/AAAAAAAAD0o/iJqyDlrf9lI/s400/IMG_1509.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377422339308975106" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqEWx9fbKgI/AAAAAAAAD14/-idFIfYSAyQ/s400/IMG_1512.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377604477632850434" /><div style="text-align: left;">It was sure hectic at the beach. The boys wanted to be out in the breaking waves. Because Hurricane Bill was moving up the coast the surf was quite rough and currents were strong. The lifeguards were on edge and constantly blowing their whistles to move this way or move that way or come in toward shore. The boys wanted to be in that mix. The big girls wanted to be out in waist deep. They would jump the waves often getting knocked down to their knees. This made me very nervous because I was afraid they would get tumbled and get sucked back with the strong current. The little 3 were eating sand, throwing sand, crying, hungry, in the water, out of the water. It was rough to keep eyes and hands on the shore, the surf and the breakers. Plus the beach was jammed packed and the jersey shore tidal discrepancies are incredibly large. We set up camp a few feet from the surf but an hour later you felt like you had to walk a mile to get from the water back up to the towels or the cooler. I had asked aunt Nantha a question up at the house about our plans for dinner. She said, Oh we'll talk about it at the beach. Then later at the beach I asked her again and she was laughing saying - yeah I thought we'd come to the beach to relax and it would be easier to talk now - NOT. It was so hectic and not very relaxing. Fun but NOT relaxing!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBwq13yijI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/hUjzSjxxtwc/s400/IMG_1513.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377421836398266930" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We went back to the house somewhere around 6:20 pm and did assembly line showers in the outside shower. I washed the girls while Brielle dried them and dressed them. We got everyone clean and ate the Dominos pizzas that Gloria and Nantha had ordered for us. By the time we finished eating and cleaned up it was nearly 9pm. (Piper never took that nap I was hoping for but again she wasn't really cranky, thankfully) We headed out to the boardwalk to ride rides. Again we were treated by Aunt Nantha and Gloria. We had to split up because the boys were interested in a whole different set of rides. Gloria took the boys to do big rides while Nantha Brielle and I stuck with the 5 little ones. The little ones had a great time and begged for more when we were all out of tickets. I'm glad we were all out because it was 11:30pm by that time. I got some video at the boardwalk but no stills. You just can't do it all!!</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBwqhDBiVI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/q21bIX1zJTY/s400/IMG_1517.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377421830808242514" /><div style="text-align: left;">On a scary note, after we rode the carousel we exited together. Piper was not back in her stroller yet and in about 3 seconds time I looked around and didn't see her. I began to panic a little and then I saw Brielle had spotted her watching a neighboring ride. We both ran to her and in THAT quick second Kamden must have thought we walked away and she went to find us. We got back to the group and started counting heads and realized that now we were down Kamden. Again the group started to panic. I stayed with Ainsley, Piper and Aspen. Brielle ran off with Cash in the stroller and Aunt Nantha ran another way. It seemed like hours even though it was only about 5 mins til I saw Aunt Nantha coming back with Cash. I must have said a thousand silent prayers in those 5 mins. I was scared to even ask if they had found her yet but they had. She was walking away from the rides and toward the crowded boardwalk. Luckily there was a couple that saw her and recognized that she shouldn't be alone. They tried to coax her back toward the rides when Brielle found her. The man told Brielle that Kamden was taught well because she wouldn't talk to strangers even though they were trying to ask her if she was lost and if she needed help. (side note - he was heavily pierced and tatooed - I'm not sure I would have talked to him either) But I'm glad that there are more good people in this world than bad no matter what they look like.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBxHxHnrMI/AAAAAAAAD0g/FyuT9ph5j00/s400/IMG_1510.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377422333338692802" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBwqIxtdUI/AAAAAAAAD0I/w1t5KUKeXfA/s400/IMG_1518.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377421824293172546" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBwNhzb1ZI/AAAAAAAAD0A/ptwe9F6BEqo/s400/IMG_1519.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377421332795086226" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Piper finally crashed in the stroller on the way back to the house. We got everyone into bed around midnight or so. I felt bad for Brielle because she was up all night because Aspen was coughing and they were sharing a room. Also Cash was up at like 5 or 6 am and she couldn't let him fuss back to sleep because the house is cooled with window unit airconditioners so no one was allowed to shut their doors. Poor Brielle, she was REALLY exhausted on this trip.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBwNduCHsI/AAAAAAAADz4/mbI3QJJLagQ/s400/IMG_1520.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377421331698687682" /></div></div></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBwM72K7ZI/AAAAAAAADzw/5diNUGrJiWA/s400/IMG_1523.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377421322606013842" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBv1Y96N1I/AAAAAAAADzo/ml3p4nBans8/s400/IMG_1522.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377420918106240850" /><div style="text-align: left;">We spent some more time on the beach Friday. From about 11:30 to 2pm. This time the adults didn't use sunscreen. It was sunny but much cooler with a brisk breeze. Hurricane Bill was out to sea causing rough surf and cool breezes. I figured I would put some on after a little while. I wanted to tan a bit and the SPF 50 cream I used the day before had worked amazingly well. I sure didn't look like I had been to the beach. Well Brielle, Nantha and I were sorry later that we hadn't used any. We all had massive sunburn. For me it was my shoulders, Brielle her upper thighs and Nantha her neck and chest. Ouch - but at least I now looked like I had been to the beach. Also poor little Aspen fell asleep in a beach chair and her poor little thigh and part of her belly had been exposed too long and she also felt the effects of a beach sunburn.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBv1BNL4EI/AAAAAAAADzg/GVulFTUc9W4/s400/IMG_1525.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377420911727861826" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We headed back to the house around 2 to shower and pack up. Piper did take a nap this time and after we had a late lunch/dinner (between 3-4 pm) we headed out to the boardwalk one more time for Wildwood T-shirts. Also a treat from Aunt Nantha. The kids had a great time picking out their own colors and pictures even if Brielle had to bite her tongue when Kamden picked out a "princess kitty" for her shirt and Aspen picked "Dora and Boots". When I think of Wildwood, NJ, nothing but Dora and Boots comes to mind... (hahaha) Ainsley got Spongebob - but hey if that's what makes them happy - they will always remember (plus it's written on the shirt) that they got the shirt at the beach. Luckily Piper, Cash and the big boys got shirts that were a bit more beachy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBvnZWuhCI/AAAAAAAADzY/s9RqfWpPbBU/s400/IMG_1530.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377420677692163106" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBvm7j8tTI/AAAAAAAADzQ/c6KUFFs8oJc/s400/IMG_1531.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377420669694555442" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We didn't end up heading out until about 8pm so we got home around 11:30 pm and were absolutely EXHAUSTED. What a great trip that we can't wait to do again - when the kids are all at least a year older!! :)</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SqBz99DuStI/AAAAAAAAD1o/tDYetZEqKak/s400/IMG_1496.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377425463279766226" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-52957405839873929652009-09-02T19:09:00.007-04:002009-09-02T19:47:23.057-04:00First Day of School 2009<div>Our lives are so jammed packed with events and special moments and although I am getting them on film, I have not had time, or when I've had the time I've been suffering from "lackawana", to blog about them or catch up on anyone else's blog. So bits and pieces will come I as I can.<div><br /></div><div>August 31st, 2009</div><div><br /></div><div>The kids started school. Chase is now in 6th grade and has moved up to another school where they change classes every period and have lockers with combinations. He's "Big Time" now. But poor guy has a fever today so he missed his 3rd day of school and most likely will miss tomorrow too. Hope he is able to catch up quick and doesn't feel lost already.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp7_udZAEII/AAAAAAAADyo/NiegOR_4lVc/s400/IMG_1566.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377016178755506306" /><div>I had to take this first picture showing the flower beds in front of the house. This was the first year we planted annuals in the front flower beds. It added so much color and I loved it yet, I didn't take any pictures all summer.</div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp7_txVpmqI/AAAAAAAADyg/UbAVpV5JReM/s1600-h/IMG_1567.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp7_txVpmqI/AAAAAAAADyg/UbAVpV5JReM/s400/IMG_1567.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377016166930291362" /></a>No more sleeping in til 7:30 or 7:45 as we have done for the last 4 years. Chase now has to catch the bus at 7:40 so he and I have to be up by 6:30 or so. The other kids don't catch the bus til 8:45 so our morning routine seems to go on and on and I'm tired by 9 when they are all finally out the door.<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp7_tUf_JbI/AAAAAAAADyY/sbLwVLJJ2ME/s400/IMG_1570.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377016159189018034" /><div>Ainsley started 1st grade with Mr. B. (Beaumont but EVERYONE calls him Mr. B). He's a year older than my Dad and still teaching first grade. I don't know how he does it but he is definitely the favorite. Ainsley wanted him SOO SOO bad and I didn't know what I was going to have to deal with if she didn't get who she hoped for. She had a lot of anxiety issues the end of last year and I was afraid they would start all over if she got someone she didn't know - not that she knew Mr. B all that well, but MacGregor had him for first grade and she thought that sounded good to her too. We have 5 first graders on our street. 4 of them got Mr. B, Ainsley and the 3 boys. The other little girl on the street got a different teacher. So with getting the teacher she wanted and going with so many neighbors, her first days have been fantastic.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp7-4_NpG-I/AAAAAAAADyQ/ZLB-07pR38o/s400/IMG_1571.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377015260121734114" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Somebody else just HAD to be in the picture.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp7-4cx0cSI/AAAAAAAADyI/MQoSJ5JhX-8/s400/IMG_1572.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377015250878230818" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">MacGregor started 4th grade with Ms. Philips. She is a new teacher at his school although she did quite a bit of subbing last year. So far he has been very excited about all the things she has planned and organized for the class. He especially likes the duck call she uses to get the children's attention.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp7-36oqJXI/AAAAAAAADyA/wCmugLtANUk/s400/IMG_1573.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377015241713001842" /><div style="text-align: center;">And there they go. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp78nKwfmGI/AAAAAAAADx4/HWzJVKAcgaw/s1600-h/IMG_1576.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp78nKwfmGI/AAAAAAAADx4/HWzJVKAcgaw/s400/IMG_1576.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377012754959800418" /></a>I had great aspirations of all the things I was going to do while I had 3 away all day. I mean 7 hours - I was going to have a spotless house, run errands, sew to my heart's content. NOPE, 7 hours goes much too quickly and I still have a toddler so my schedule isn't quite as free as I was thinking it might be. The house is certainly not spotless, I've only gotten 2 loads of laundry done in 3 days, some errands have been run but I haven't touched my sewing machine yet. (I will say however that I have done my visiting teaching, a primary visit, and managed to go out to lunch with my hubby. Those things were much more difficult last year when Ainsley had half day Kindergarten.</div><div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">And now they're home. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp78mspp7UI/AAAAAAAADxw/2g5lk68SCUg/s1600-h/IMG_1581.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp78mspp7UI/AAAAAAAADxw/2g5lk68SCUg/s400/IMG_1581.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377012746878053698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Didn't she have a great day? I'd love to be that bouncy!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp78mPqg3vI/AAAAAAAADxo/qnmtk776GwA/s1600-h/IMG_1583.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp78mPqg3vI/AAAAAAAADxo/qnmtk776GwA/s400/IMG_1583.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377012739097026290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My little slow poke. Last one by a mile off the bus.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp78lodoaNI/AAAAAAAADxg/dCuZh--H1N0/s1600-h/IMG_1585.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp78lodoaNI/AAAAAAAADxg/dCuZh--H1N0/s400/IMG_1585.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377012728574011602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Bye Bye Bus. only 179 more days to go.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp78lA804UI/AAAAAAAADxY/jRWm6aa_EyQ/s1600-h/IMG_1586.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sp78lA804UI/AAAAAAAADxY/jRWm6aa_EyQ/s400/IMG_1586.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377012717967434050" /></a><div><br /></div></div></div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-11844784257848010882009-08-10T10:42:00.004-04:002009-08-10T10:58:24.254-04:00Stuff<div>Here are couple of pictures that we took after we unpacked our suitcases. These were the things on my parents shopping list. The things they needed from America.</div><div><br /></div><div>Photo #1 shows - cinnamon gummy bears, non-perils, rootbeer barrels, zantac, motrin, tylenol, sweat proof sunscreen, crosheen, beads and socks for making cute little bead socks - you know - real important stuff.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SoAyPC2_NsI/AAAAAAAADxQ/IlAMpcfbkn8/s1600-h/IMG_0855.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SoAyPC2_NsI/AAAAAAAADxQ/IlAMpcfbkn8/s400/IMG_0855.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368345989872563906" /></a>Photo #2, 6 one and half pound bags of chocolate chips (a necessity in life), brown sugar, mapleine flavoring, hershey kisses, and the last 3 books in a series my mom was reading - hardback of course.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SoAyO_BtAOI/AAAAAAAADxI/dLncuiOSxT0/s1600-h/IMG_0856.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SoAyO_BtAOI/AAAAAAAADxI/dLncuiOSxT0/s400/IMG_0856.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368345988843765986" /></a>Photo #3 - A years supply of Avon creams and lots and lots of Leggs brand panty hose. Apparently South Africa does not make a decent pair of hose so import you must.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SoAyOUZG-5I/AAAAAAAADxA/bsk_dWAzR28/s1600-h/IMG_0858.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SoAyOUZG-5I/AAAAAAAADxA/bsk_dWAzR28/s400/IMG_0858.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368345977399212946" /></a>I was happy I was able to bring them things that brought comfort and familiarity. I was also happy I had all that extra room in my suitcase so I could bring home lots of cool souvenirs.Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-15403658879445456362009-08-04T14:26:00.011-04:002009-08-04T15:20:47.324-04:00Day 1 Continues<div>So back to June 23rd - after we left the church offices we headed up to Montecasino. The Casinos in Africa are more like flashy malls. There is tight security, lots of shops and restaurants and other added bonuses like amusement parks or aviaries. There is gaming going on but it's kind of hidden in an area all to itself- you almost have to go looking for it, NOT like here in Vegas where you walk one foot into the casino and there are 100 slot machines with 10 feet of you.<br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniBn3IesfI/AAAAAAAADw4/cqfvTY5llTM/s1600-h/IMG_0859.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniBn3IesfI/AAAAAAAADw4/cqfvTY5llTM/s400/IMG_0859.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366181477826343410" /></a>The Bird Gardens were very fun. It was a good activity to do since we were so tired. The price was extremely reasonable and since we were there in the middle of the day on a Tuesday, it wasn't crowded at all. Here is Chase with an uncaged African Gray Parrot. His feathers were amazing. We have a close up on video and he just has layer after layer of beautiful white tipped gray feathers.<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniBngVHkZI/AAAAAAAADww/o_sFl1v_kPc/s400/IMG_0860.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366181471705338258" /><div>One of the best parts was their lorakeet cage. When you purchase your tickets they hand you a little plastic dish of what looks like minced garlic floating in a watery solution. This is lorakeet food. You take this with you into the lorakeet cage where the lorakeets are free to fly around with you. They will land on you - on your hands, shoulders, heads. They will chirp VERY loudly in your ears and peck and pull at your hair, nibble on your sun glasses, hats or ears and poop when and where they need to. This experience was not for the faint of heart. Chase was a bit skittish at first and when he was swarmed by the first 3 or 4 he dropped his food dish and they had to eat it off the ground.<br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniBnEl1f1I/AAAAAAAADwo/jSVBU0vldLg/s400/IMG_0863.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366181464259264338" />MacGregor was much more comfortable with the birds and had many eating right out of his hands. Their faces get very messy and sometimes they peck and push each other out of the way.<br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniBMKphzDI/AAAAAAAADwg/qZ7W5OFhAQg/s400/IMG_0864.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366181002028895282" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniBLzYSOGI/AAAAAAAADwY/MZiryUW3OAk/s400/IMG_0867.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366180995782555746" />Daniel had one trying out his glasses and hat and ears.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniBLrGhnrI/AAAAAAAADwQ/20FuuJzXksg/s1600-h/IMG_0869.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniBLrGhnrI/AAAAAAAADwQ/20FuuJzXksg/s400/IMG_0869.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366180993560583858" /></a><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniBLQaR_xI/AAAAAAAADwI/X6Kw-yUYdo8/s400/IMG_0870.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366180986395688722" />The admission price (like $4) included a bird show. It took place in an outdoor amphitheatre. Again we got front row seats because there were few people there that day. We saw a wide array of birds that we have never seen. They did tricks and flew about with prompting from their trainers. There were a few that were misbehaving and not doing the planned performance but we enjoyed them too. We have the whole show on video and I will need to watch it again so I can hear what the names of each of these are because I can't remember. So just enjoy the picture of these unusual and (some of them) endangered birds.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniA3ArsJ9I/AAAAAAAADwA/JeRttexC4bA/s1600-h/IMG_0873.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 352px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniA3ArsJ9I/AAAAAAAADwA/JeRttexC4bA/s400/IMG_0873.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366180638576355282" /></a>Some sort of osprey or falcon.<br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniA2tMhYrI/AAAAAAAADv4/08QeTnwtUH4/s400/IMG_0878.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366180633345352370" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniA2YXBDrI/AAAAAAAADvw/B6lG7vk-mPs/s1600-h/IMG_0877.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniA2YXBDrI/AAAAAAAADvw/B6lG7vk-mPs/s400/IMG_0877.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366180627752226482" /></a>This is the South African National Bird. I believe it is called the Blue Crane and I believe that is is endangered. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniAmk8kIwI/AAAAAAAADvo/_XnGpJVYkN8/s1600-h/IMG_0880.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniAmk8kIwI/AAAAAAAADvo/_XnGpJVYkN8/s400/IMG_0880.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366180356253033218" /></a>There were several hawks too. This is one of them.<br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniAl47RLYI/AAAAAAAADvY/0xLZfpAhfNg/s400/IMG_0882.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366180344436436354" /><div style="text-align: left;">I thought this picture was funny because the palm tree leaves look like feathers poking out all over. Like he is the indian chief or something.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniAmQZHz7I/AAAAAAAADvg/y66a_jRuYtU/s400/IMG_0881.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366180350735667122" />Here's a little Barn Owl. We also saw a giant eagle owl that had a mind of her own that day and the poor trainers were running after her and climbing walls to get her down etc... <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniASMTGSyI/AAAAAAAADvQ/x8Im3tTMEo0/s1600-h/IMG_0885.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniASMTGSyI/AAAAAAAADvQ/x8Im3tTMEo0/s400/IMG_0885.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366180006039276322" /></a>The boys got to have their pictures taken with the little barn owl.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniARkwUjNI/AAAAAAAADvI/gyOfA-aneHY/s1600-h/IMG_0892.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniARkwUjNI/AAAAAAAADvI/gyOfA-aneHY/s400/IMG_0892.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366179995424427218" /></a>After the show we walked around all the other exhibits and saw many new varieties of ducks and birds. We mostly got that on video. But we did get this saddlebilled something or other. He is very unusual.<br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Snh-fhHb1nI/AAAAAAAADuc/m_9lfBbfuyc/s400/IMG_0897.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366178035942545010" /><div style="text-align: left;">We also got the Lilac Breasted Roller. One of my all time favorites over there. We saw many of them on the game reserve. These first 2 I believe are the females. Their colors a bit more muted.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Snh-fSwPZlI/AAAAAAAADuU/vdi50_XcBKY/s400/IMG_0912.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366178032087164498" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SniARY-4DcI/AAAAAAAADvA/Xy7RRATgiT4/s400/IMG_0910.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366179992264248770" />I believe this is the male. His colors are much more pastel and bright. When they spread their wings in flight the colors are wild and amazing.<br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Snh-fBSHCkI/AAAAAAAADuM/mFgPdOgGTOw/s400/IMG_0902.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366178027397384770" />And here is the Glossy Starling. They were also all over the game reserve. Their colors are iridescent and unnatural. And their yellow eyes are creepy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Snh-exksfoI/AAAAAAAADuE/5DtPkoF46iI/s1600-h/IMG_0903.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Snh-exksfoI/AAAAAAAADuE/5DtPkoF46iI/s400/IMG_0903.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366178023180369538" /></a><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Snh-eQx1dXI/AAAAAAAADt8/luIjX4oZ9lc/s400/IMG_0905.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366178014377112946" />After the aviary closed at 5 pm. We headed inside and shopped a bit. Finding Ainsley the stuffed Hippo she had asked for. It was a "build a bear" type hippo and we found a T-shirt with the South African Flag that it could wear. I was a bit worried about buying her souvenir on the first day but later I was glad because we never saw another stuffed hippo the entire trip. </div><div><br /></div><div>We then ate some average food at one of the restaurants and headed home to my parents one bedroom apartment to go to bed. The boys slept on a queen size air mattress in a small space right in front of the front door. You could not open the door when the mattress was on the floor because it filled the entire space from wall to wall and from the front door to the kitchen. Dan and I slept on the sofa bed that was about the size of a twin bed + maybe 3 inches. After no real sleep for about 31 hours, we went to bed at 8 pm and slept until 8 the next morning. AHHH.... needed that. </div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-73977843196270273992009-08-03T14:09:00.011-04:002009-08-03T14:53:47.404-04:00It's In The Mail<div style="text-align: center;">CASH PETERSON JULY 2009</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SncsNsV9bzI/AAAAAAAADt0/dEi6q503srM/s400/IMG_1427.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365806094788423474" /></div>Ok - so it took me two weeks from the time this was completed until I actually sent it. It was very hard for me to give up. It's a creation that I made (not too unlike my own children) that I labored over for many months. When the creation is completed I like to see it often, constantly admiring it and showing it to anyone who comes to the door. So when it is sent away - I am left with a hole. I guess I will have to start another one to fill that hole.<div><br /></div><div><div>So here's the story on this quilt that I made for Cash Peterson and completed July 2009. I first bought the 2 darkest blue fabrics independently at two shops just because I liked them. I then found this pattern that was put out by a fabric company to go with a new line they were selling. The fabric that they sold came with 4 strips of the same color fading from light to dark - all on the same bolt. The deal was that you use this pattern with this fabric just buying the 3 colors you wanted to use and you'd have the perfect gradual fade. I like the pattern but wasn't wild about their color options which were all solids. I wanted prints since it was for a baby. So I picked up the pattern, figured out the correct yardage for each fabric while I was shopping (not easy and a lot of math) then I hand picked the prints trying to get the same faded look. I was really happy with the end result although the yellow was REALLY hard to find in the faded tones and I don't love the middle square. I've found there is always <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">one</span> fabric in a quilt that I don't love.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Close up - Blue Square</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sncrh4IzRXI/AAAAAAAADts/w5FH8ddbhdE/s400/IMG_1430.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365805342040212850" /><div style="text-align: center;">Close up - Yellow Square</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SncrhvzT3RI/AAAAAAAADtk/3w3sPMTS5uo/s1600-h/IMG_1431.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SncrhvzT3RI/AAAAAAAADtk/3w3sPMTS5uo/s400/IMG_1431.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365805339802590482" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Close up - Brown Square</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SncrhShs-3I/AAAAAAAADtc/nKuuhgeYISA/s1600-h/IMG_1432.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SncrhShs-3I/AAAAAAAADtc/nKuuhgeYISA/s400/IMG_1432.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365805331944110962" /></a>I then took it back to the shop where I had picked up the pattern and had her long arm it. This is only the third quilt I've had long armed but I absolutely love it. I now want them all to be long armed but the wait is so long and the expense is pretty high. My friend is thinking of buying a long arm machine and I really hope she does. I would love to learn how to do it and maybe she would rush my projects and I wouldn't have to wait so long to get them back.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Back and Binding - Quilting detail</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sncrg6sdDTI/AAAAAAAADtU/RGyt8Nd0iCU/s1600-h/IMG_1433.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sncrg6sdDTI/AAAAAAAADtU/RGyt8Nd0iCU/s400/IMG_1433.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365805325546753330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The back is Ultra Soft Minky - Long Arm Detail</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sncq2Uy1SdI/AAAAAAAADtM/UhBC_ahzpEE/s1600-h/IMG_1435.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sncq2Uy1SdI/AAAAAAAADtM/UhBC_ahzpEE/s400/IMG_1435.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365804593818454482" /></a><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sncq18WtbdI/AAAAAAAADtE/qdwRE04PU7w/s400/IMG_1437.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365804587258047954" /><div style="text-align: center;">Detail - Yellow Fabrics</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sncq1TcNXII/AAAAAAAADs8/cY5clhldPyY/s1600-h/IMG_1438.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sncq1TcNXII/AAAAAAAADs8/cY5clhldPyY/s400/IMG_1438.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365804576275258498" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Detail - Brown Fabrics</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SncqSZYCxMI/AAAAAAAADs0/_V74e0bpZbM/s1600-h/IMG_1440.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SncqSZYCxMI/AAAAAAAADs0/_V74e0bpZbM/s400/IMG_1440.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365803976572978370" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Detail - Blue Fabrics<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SncqR4t8sSI/AAAAAAAADss/rXxh46LDHbU/s1600-h/IMG_1442.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SncqR4t8sSI/AAAAAAAADss/rXxh46LDHbU/s400/IMG_1442.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365803967806484770" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SncqD0YYuSI/AAAAAAAADsk/XCKjiUEsWgM/s1600-h/IMG_1443.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Here's one last look. I love the geometric look and how it appears to be layered one square atop the other. Hope Cash likes it.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sncp1cQFevI/AAAAAAAADsU/IFt5p--P4Zs/s400/IMG_1445.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365803479128701682" /></span></div></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-17225771425055811102009-07-27T11:54:00.006-04:002009-07-28T00:15:46.642-04:00Leave of Absence<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Sorry for taking such a long leave of absence. My time has really not been my own for quite a while. Baseball ate up our spring. Planning all that goes into an international trip (including the shopping lists of your parents who can't get their favorites over there) and the planning that goes into leaving half the family behind and all that they'll need while your gone, hosting visitors, refinancing the house and a fairly demanding calling has eaten up most of my time lately.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So I will try to post bits and pieces as I can squeeze it in. It's also a bit overwhelming to have hundreds of photos and have to try to narrow them down and figure out what you want to say in each post. I'll do my best. It's also hard because we took both video and still photos so some of the things we did or experienced are only on the videos and we are still working to learn how to up load those. Our videos are always too big to post.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These pictures are from our first day there. We actually left our home around 5 pm and drove to Queens, NY on Sunday June 20th. We got to our hotel around 9 pm after driving through lovely Staten Island traffic and quite a rain storm. We stayed at the DoubleTree which allowed us to keep our car there for 14 days with no parking fee. The cost of the room was cheaper than leaving it in long term parking at JFK for the 11 days we were gone and we didn't have to wake up at 3 am and drive 3-4 hours never knowing if you'd make it time with traffic on Monday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Monday, June 21st, we got up early and took the shuttle to JFK. We were there by 8:15 am and checked in. Our plane left at 11:35am. We met the cutest "almost 3 yr old" twins while we waited for our plane. Inilay and Zinzilay from Botwana. We have very cute video of them. They were on our plane but not in our area so we didn't see them again once we got on.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">15 hours and 15 minutes is a long time to spend on plane. We flew South African Airways which was a very nice airline. The best part was that each passenger had their own personal video screen in the seat in front of them. You also had your own remote so you could watch one of 25 movies, play games, watch TV shows, listen to an array of music or watch the flight plan with constant updates of where you were, how high you were, how fast you were going and what the temp was outside, etc... We gave the boys benadryl but Chase didn't sleep at all. I took a WHOLE sleeping pill, which I never do - I usually take 1/4 and still didn't really sleep - I would doze off for 20 mins here or there but nothing lasting. Didn't help that the last 4 hours or so we felt like we were on a boat. The turbulence was constant - not scary but very bouncy. Many people on the flight were getting sick. MacGregor was one of them, poor guy. Dan also assisted a mother traveling alone with 3 children all of whom were getting sick. I felt very nauseous but never threw up.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We landed at around 8 am local time ( about a half hour early) but our bodies only felt like it was TWO IN THE MORNING. Yep - great way to start the day - in the middle of the night. We got through customs, found our sweet missionary couple and got in the rented Mercedes Vito van. The most plain jane, most uncomfortable Mercedes you ever saw. We made a quick stop at the apartment to drop off the luggage and headed straight over to the Africa Southeast Area Office.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here we are looking so alert. We are on the office grounds which overlooks a large portion of Johannesburg. Looking up from this point you can see the temple.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sm3O4x5a36I/AAAAAAAADrE/oo7U1Rua26c/s400/IMG_0848.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363170206130298786" />Here is the garden of Eden, that's what they call it there. If you look very close you can see a bee inside this perfectly formed, naturally growing calla lily.<div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sm3O6gkUPnI/AAAAAAAADrk/6gZCqZSnEDU/s400/IMG_0854.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363170235838119538" /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">This garden grows right on the grounds of the office. It was so lush and beautiful even in the middle of winter. Yes it is winter in South Africa right now - this was their December.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sm3O502FiGI/AAAAAAAADrc/G1PjroAxs3I/s400/IMG_0853.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363170224101492834" /></div>I love my little MacGregor even when he's beyond tired and sick from the airplane.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sm3O5Uy1ZJI/AAAAAAAADrU/EkpI00PSEUY/s400/IMG_0852.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363170215497917586" /></div>Here is the picture of the Area Presidency's offices and home. There are apartments for the couples on the second floor and their offices and meeting rooms are on the first floor. The other departments have their offices in a building adjacent to this one but I only got that building on video. That building includes Perpetual Education, Employment, Humanitarian, Medical, Public Affairs, Travel, Finance, etc...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sm3O5JUxM7I/AAAAAAAADrM/12sNeVP-vqE/s1600-h/IMG_0850.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sm3O5JUxM7I/AAAAAAAADrM/12sNeVP-vqE/s400/IMG_0850.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363170212419023794" /></a>Sorry so much detail but I need to try to remember everything for my own sake. Hopefully more to follow soon.</div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-14548222044377034762009-06-21T14:29:00.001-04:002009-06-21T14:31:34.457-04:00And We're OFF on our big adventure! Will write in a few weeks!<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Africa </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Here</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">We</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Come</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">!!</span></span></div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-37783674087641737102009-06-20T12:05:00.004-04:002009-06-21T14:28:00.162-04:00Snip Snip<div>We were tired of tangles, tired of screaming and hurting heads and hurting ears every time we brushed hair. I was tired of hair in her eyes and always looking like a rag-a-muffin. I was tired of the fight! So we got a summer haircut!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Before</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sj56LbZIdTI/AAAAAAAADqg/TvdZ2wkcuj4/s1600-h/IMG_0406_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sj56LbZIdTI/AAAAAAAADqg/TvdZ2wkcuj4/s400/IMG_0406_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349847744113046834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">After<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sj0Jep6eBkI/AAAAAAAADqA/TG-47v_XgFo/s400/P1030491.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349442354637833794" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sj0JfPE0lmI/AAAAAAAADqI/ode9OAQ4Lhs/s400/P1030492.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349442364613367394" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is so much easier now, has more body and shape. The best part is - NO MORE TANGLES!</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sj0JeeYUH5I/AAAAAAAADp4/3aziAyDwrJc/s400/P1030490.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349442351541788562" /><div style="text-align: left;">This one had to get in on the attention as well. I recently cut her hair and it was a challenge to get her to sit still. Even so - It's better than it was.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sj0JfnnzwMI/AAAAAAAADqQ/QaW7Zim9Lbs/s400/P1030495.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349442371202564290" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sj0JgDOVUoI/AAAAAAAADqY/K9H0W_Legok/s400/P1030496.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349442378611905154" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-82785659002732499242009-06-17T23:22:00.005-04:002009-06-17T23:36:23.226-04:00Bike and Helmet<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SjmzcpWf6pI/AAAAAAAADpg/L41mZYtKA3k/s400/IMG_0645.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348503337197103762" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ainsley recently learned to ride her two wheeler. Piper has wanted to ride a bike too....really bad. So I pulled out her "ride-on" toy that she got for her birthday last year from Aunt Nantha and Gloria. We started calling it her bike and she would ride it up and down the sidewalk. One day she grabbed this pink bucket out of the garage and said, "I want to ride my bike with my helmet." She put the bucket on her head and off she went. (She knows that Ainsley is NOT allowed to ride her bike without a helmet, even though she does all the time and we are constantly grounding her for it)<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sjmz61AvEyI/AAAAAAAADpw/YN6Pn8Z6Rxg/s400/IMG_0647.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348503855723123490" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You gotta love this stringy stringy hair. My poor girls. Piper's hair has since been cut and has a little more body and shape but golly - we gave them bad hair genes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sjmzcdg5TuI/AAAAAAAADpY/9Ct4QScP6cc/s400/IMG_0648.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348503334019485410" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sjmz6jzsNkI/AAAAAAAADpo/BRtlzP7lYTQ/s400/IMG_0650.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348503851105007170" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/Sjmzb1sUsBI/AAAAAAAADpQ/Qh8gj61vEpI/s400/IMG_0649.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348503323329998866" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-21598540280074189752009-06-12T14:26:00.006-04:002009-06-12T15:46:48.213-04:00Mrs. Przystup's Signature Quilt<div>MacGregor had another great teacher this year who also happened to have a soft spot for him. Maybe he's just that kind of kid. Chase also had Mrs. Przystup and I loved her then too. She often told me how much she enjoyed teaching both my boys and how she thought they were well behaved and good friends to others.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SjKfJ7TKQII/AAAAAAAADpI/NX1Ww6pa9l4/s1600-h/IMG_0688.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SjKfJ7TKQII/AAAAAAAADpI/NX1Ww6pa9l4/s640/IMG_0688.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346510700527894658" /></a>MacGregor brought home all his papers in a manilla envelope each Monday. We had to sign that we received all the paper. There was also a box for comments, yet we never wrote anything in there. One day in April MacGregor said to me, "Do you think you could write a comment like Daddy did last week? Because Mrs. Przystup will write you back." Dan had written "Hi" and Mrs. Przystup has replied, "Hi". MacGregor is really cute. So I had been asking MacGregor to find out what Mrs. Przystup's favorite color(s) were so I could plan the quilt but he had forgotten time and time again. So I wrote in the comment section, "What is your favorite color?" She replied, "Blue....hmmm??" And so I was faced with what blue collection to work with. I was worried I wouldn't find a collection with a lot of blue. I went to my favorite fabric store - Sauder's. In reality there were WAY to many to choose from. I ended up going with an asian mix. It was in the blue family ranging from light gray to a dark greenish blue and all inbetween. These fabrics also incorprated metals - gold and silver. I found a white for the signatures that had a light print of flowers and butterflies. I thought it carried on with the asian theme.<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SjKe0BJso3I/AAAAAAAADo4/E-uTkVSnTZY/s400/IMG_0689.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346510324141695858" /><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SjKezeVYrII/AAAAAAAADoo/PAnekhLEAvM/s400/IMG_0692.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346510314795478146" /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">I emailed Mrs. Przystup a few weeks ago and asked her if I could come in and work on a project with the kids. I told her she would need to leave the room for a few minutes because it was a surprise for her. She ended up having a special meeting the next day and said a sub would be there for an hour or so. I went in and had the sub help me hold the blocks down so each child could sign. Luckily the only child not in class that day lives directly across the street from me so I had all the signatures in no time. I told the kids to promise NOT to tell Mrs. Przystup what we did because it was going to be a surprise. Apparently, she asked the class what they had worked on (sneaky lady...maybe she just can't wait for surprises) and several of the kids raised their hands until the rest of the kids got mad and reminded them it was a secret.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SjKez3cjnjI/AAAAAAAADow/nQWq-8KcKJ4/s400/IMG_0690.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346510321536441906" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't know if she ever found out what it was beforehand but I think she must have been excited about it because MacGregor told me recently that she asked when he would be bringing in the surprise. He brought it in on Wed. , the second to last day of school. He said she really liked it. She called me at lunch that day to say thank you and tell me how much she liked it. She also said that my card had made her cry. It just told her how dear to my heart she is and how lucky my boys were to get her.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SjKfJnmOzGI/AAAAAAAADpA/MPHXOn189UM/s1600-h/IMG_0691.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SjKfJnmOzGI/AAAAAAAADpA/MPHXOn189UM/s400/IMG_0691.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346510695239175266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">And here's the back. I used a pale blue flannel middle layer and this yellow floral print flannel for the back. I thought the yellow complimented the gold on the front and the flowers were blue ( bonus.) The flannel gave it thickness. I still haven't figured out how to keep the class photo from fading slightly. I have to wash the quilt to get the rag look but it causes the picture to lose its crispness.</div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SjKey16jPWI/AAAAAAAADoY/fBsdCsV6iAQ/s1600-h/IMG_0693.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SjKey16jPWI/AAAAAAAADoY/fBsdCsV6iAQ/s400/IMG_0693.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346510303945506146" /></a><br /></div>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33136686.post-32670167410457123462009-06-10T16:13:00.003-04:002009-06-10T21:10:36.170-04:00Dr. Fleming<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SjAfFRZugjI/AAAAAAAADoQ/HnHYFPLcqIw/s1600-h/P1030484.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DFIjVcjx1QI/SjAfFRZugjI/AAAAAAAADoQ/HnHYFPLcqIw/s400/P1030484.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345806933119894066" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;"><span class="title_text" style=" font-weight: bold; color: rgb(114, 114, 114); font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My dear sweet Dr. Fleming passed away two weeks ago today. I feel lost without him. I trusted him completely with the medical care of my children. I was in absolute shock when I got the call on Monday June 1st. I figured they were calling to remind me about Piper's appointment on Tuesday. I never thought it was to inform me that Dr. Fleming had passed away a few days before. This man was only 56 and was the epitome of health. He was a marathon runner and extremely lean. He had incredible healthy eating habits and I just don't understand how his heart could have failed him. Is it possible to be in too good of shape that you wear your heart out? His twin brother spoke at the funeral - it looked like Dr. Fleming in Hollywood makeup. Same face with big smooth cheeks and a few more chins. His brother was very over weight - how come his heart is still ticking? They had the same exact voice too which was very difficult to listen to - It was like Dr. Fleming was there, but he wasn't. I guess when it's your time to go, you'll go - no matter what shape you're in. I think Dr. Fleming must have been such a good man that he had accomplished all that the Lord needed him to do already.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(114, 114, 114); "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When we moved here we asked around about a good pediatrician. We had one we really liked in Oklahoma. We were given a name of a woman and tried the office. I liked her quite a bit but she was in a practice with at least 6 other doctors. In Oklahoma our Dr. was in a group practice yet we always saw him. Here - we only saw this woman once in a year and half. Every other trip, and with 3 children we went multiple times in a year and a half, we saw someone different. We could only get our Dr if we were making a well check months in advance.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When I was nearly due with Piper I called my the pediatric office to let them know I needed them for a new born check at the hospital. They wouldn't go to the hospital I was delivering in even though they had a satellite office directly across the street. So I picked up a business card for Dr. Fleming that was in my OBGYN's office. He was in the same building - close to home and the hospital where I would deliver. He was also a solo practitioner so I knew we would only see him.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I figured I would use him for Piper since he was so close and we would have so many visits early on. In the end, I liked him so much that I transferred all my kids over within 2 months of her birth. And with 4 kids, including one like Piper that is proned to injury... burned hands, broken leg, pressure sores, croup, we saw Dr. Fleming a lot over the last 2 and a half years. I felt like he was an old friend. He would talk about his grandchildren that lived in Nova Scotia. He spoke of his wife and where he grew up - Norristown, PA. He actually had a niece who graduated from the same high school as Daniel around the same time. He spoke of his son with Downs Syndrome. He was a good Christian man who truly loved the children he cared for.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ainsley experienced a severe panic attack in the middle of April. The next day she was better but still exhibiting some symptoms. I called him and he spent at least 15 or 20 minutes talking to me about her and what he could do and who he would recommend as a therapist etc... </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The first weekend in May - Piper had the croup again. We had given her the nebulizer one night and used steam and motrin the day after that. I took her in to get checked because Daniel and I were supposed to go out of town - not to far - about 2 hours away. Em and J would be babysitting and I wasn't sure I should leave her. Dr. Fleming said he thought the worst was over. He said I should go on the trip and just give Em and J his number if they had any questions. He was THAT kind of Dr. Always available if you really needed him.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The day before he died I called him about a prescription for an antibiotic used for "travelers diarrhea". The Travel Health Office recommends you fill this prescription and take it with you on a "just in case" basis. Dr. Fleming was unfamiliar with this use and I told him all that the Travel Health Office had told me. He told me I should call back with the boys weights and that he would look into it. I could hear him looking it up while we were talking. I also asked him about what to give the boys on the airplane to help them sleep - he told me the right dosages of benedryl. As we were finishing the conversation he said, "Well I probably won't see you again so have a great trip." I was going to answer - " Oh I'll see you on Tuesday for Piper's appointment" but the conversation ended before I could get that out. I'm so sad I didn't get the chance to see him on Tuesday.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I already feel lost without you - I don't have that relationship with anyone else where I can just pick up the phone and have that trusted voice on the end of the line tell me exactly what to do. We will miss you so much Dr. Fleming. You made an incredible impact on our family. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Obituary of Kenneth D. Fleming, M.d.<br /></span><div class="rbroundbox"><div class="rbtop" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-image: url(http://obits.lancasteronline.com/images/a8.gif); background-repeat: repeat-x; width: 100%; height: 10px; background-position: 50% 0%; "><div class="rbtopleft" style="background-image: url(http://obits.lancasteronline.com/images/a7.gif); float: left; background-repeat: no-repeat; width: 10px; height: 10px; background-position: 50% 50%; "></div><div class="rbtopright" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-image: url(http://obits.lancasteronline.com/images/a9.gif); float: right; background-repeat: no-repeat; width: 10px; height: 10px; background-position: 50% 50%; "></div></div><div class="rbcenter" style="width: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div class="rbright" style="background-image: url(http://obits.lancasteronline.com/images/a6.gif); background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; background-repeat: repeat-y; width: 100%; background-position: 100% 50%; "><div class="rbleft" style="background-image: url(http://obits.lancasteronline.com/images/a4.gif); background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; background-repeat: repeat-y; width: 99%; background-position: 0% 50%; "><div class="rbcontent" style="width: 99%; float: right; "><div><div class="padded_container" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; float: left; "><table align="left"><tbody><tr><td><img border="1" src="http://obits.lancasteronline.com/getphoto.php?obit_id=2332677" /></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="general_text" style=" color: rgb(127, 127, 127); text-decoration: none; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;">Kenneth D. Fleming, M.D.<br /><br />Dr. Kenneth D. Fleming, M.D. age 56, of Lancaster, PA, where he had resided for the past four years, formerly of Plymouth Meeting, PA, passed away suddenly Thursday, May 28, 2009.<br /><br />Born in Norristown, PA, he was the son of the late Robert W. and Helen C. Mehler Fleming. He and his wife, Denise Linehan Fleming celebrated their twenty-seventh wedding anniversary last Nov. 28th.<br /><br />Dr. Fleming was a graduate of Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, Millersville University with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in biology and a graduate of Temple University of Medicine.<br /><br />He did his pediatric residency at the University of Pittsburgh Children's Hospital, with a Fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at the University of Cincinnati Children's Hospital.<br /><br />Dr. Fleming practiced medicine many years in King of Prussia, PA and the last four years in Lititz, PA as the sole practitioner for Pediatrics Partners PC.<br /><br />Dr. Fleming was passionately committed to children and their families. He valued a strong partnership with parents through education and understanding.<br /><br />Ken was an avid photographer who loved photographing Lancaster County. He was also a committed runner, having twice completed the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington, DC. He was a constant reader and his love of books was instilled by his mother at a young age. <br /><br />He was a member of Calvary Church in Lancaster and the American Academy of Pediatrics.<br /><br />In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children: Sarah J. Fleming, Pittsburgh; two sons David C., husband of Lindsay A. Fleming, Halifax, Nova Scotia; Bryan H. Fleming, Lancaster; two grandchildren Eliot and Grace; his twin brother Lawrence; brother Robert Fleming, Jr.; Douglas and William; three sisters Barbara, Linda and Beth.<br /><br />Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Kenneth's Life Celebration Funeral Service at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Rd., Lancaster, PA, on Tuesday at 11:00 AM with Rev. David D. Allen, Jr. and Rev. Todd N. Nathan officiating. Interment will be in Witness Park, Lititz, PA . Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 9:00 AM until time of service. Please omit flowers. If desired, memorial contributions may be sent to the Dr. Kenneth D. Fleming Memorial Fund c/o Mennonite Foundation, Inc., 201 E. Oregon Rd. Suite 103, Lititz, PA 17543-7440 for the development of support services for families of children with developmental, behavioral, and medical needs. Please make checks payable to Mennonite Foundation, Inc. Fred F. Groff, Inc.</span></div><div class="padded_container" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; float: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127); font-family:Verdana;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span>Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06988091714540013158noreply@blogger.com1